MEDIA CONTACT: Debra Kain
561-297-2010, dkain@fau.edu
Kristine McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu

FAU to Host World Conference of Scientists

BOCA RATON, FL (July 19, 2004) - Florida Atlantic University will host the 7th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology (ICVM-7) in Boca Raton from July 27 to August 1. The conference, held every three to four years, is expected to draw more than 500 scientists from 30 countries to talk about research discoveries on vertebrates ranging from fish and dinosaurs to the comparative anatomy of humans.

"As vertebrate morphologists, we are lucky to share a fascination with the study of vertebrate anatomy, which for many of us started in childhood as we marveled at fossil giants," said Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, ICVM-7 Convener and assistant professor of biological science at FAU, whose own field of specialization is turtles. Wyneken calls this one of the most dynamic and integrative fields of biology - ranging from how skulls move, which helps dentists fit people for dental prosthetics, to soft tissue reconstruction, which could lead to identifying the identity of a skeleton. Why a skeleton forms or why humans have evolved to have two arms and two legs are the kinds of questions pondered by vertebrate morphologists, and their answers can help develop treatments for osteoarthritis and give us clues to the evolution of species.

For six days, the ICVM-7 will explore aspects of the field through plenary lectures, symposia, workshops and more than 300 contributed presentations and posters. The International Congress is sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation, FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

- FAU -